Indoor Air Quality in Wilmington, NC

Why Is Indoor Air Quality Often Poor?

This is a common question we hear from homeowners. Indoor air quality in today’s homes is significantly worse than it once was. In fact, the air inside can be four to five times more polluted than the air outside. This is contrary to what most people expect since they associate pollution with the outdoors. Unfortunately, modern homes tend to trap airborne pollutants.

Today’s construction focuses on energy efficiency, requiring effective insulation and air sealing to block outside air. While this makes heating and cooling easier, it also reduces fresh air circulation. As a result, stale, contaminated air lingers indoors without being refreshed.

There are several sources of pollutants already present in most homes:

• Cleaning and beauty products
• Varnishes and pressed wood
• Glue and other craft materials
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from household chemicals
• Fumes from cooking and cleaning
• HVAC systems and combustion appliances

Bringing fresh air into a home isn’t always simple, especially when outside temperatures are extreme. Fortunately, indoor air quality devices and services can help alleviate these issues.

What About Humidity Control?

Humidity control plays a significant role in maintaining good indoor air quality, especially in Wilmington, NC. High humidity can make summers uncomfortable by trapping heat in our bodies, making temperatures feel hotter. It also leads to water damage, mold, and mildew growth.

But dry air isn’t much better. When humidity levels drop below 30%, it becomes more difficult to stay warm. Dry air can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and nose, and lead to static electricity and damage to wood and paint. Ideally, humidity should stay between 30% and 50%, and our indoor air quality experts can help you maintain that balance.

Your Ductwork Matters for Indoor Air Quality

Your home’s ductwork plays a key role in circulating air throughout your rooms. If it’s damaged or improperly installed, air circulation suffers, leading to more contaminants entering your home’s air. Damaged ducts also increase heating and cooling expenses.

Good ductwork is essential to overall home performance. By treating your home as an integrated energy system, we can offer solutions that improve air quality and energy efficiency. We encourage customers to explore home performance services along with indoor air quality improvements.

Learn more about Duct Sealing and Testing Services

Top Solutions for Better Indoor Air

So, how can we improve your home’s indoor air quality? There are several options, depending on your specific needs. Our experienced team in Wilmington, NC is here to help you find the best solutions for your home.

Here are a few services we offer to enhance your indoor air quality:

Air Filters and Purifiers

While your HVAC system has a filter, it’s designed to protect the system, not clean the air. To remove particles like dust, dander, and dust mites from the air, you’ll need a whole-house air filtration system installed in your ductwork. We’ll ensure that the filter is matched to your HVAC system’s power and your air’s specific pollutants. Too strong of a filter can damage your HVAC system.

Air purifiers, on the other hand, remove smaller particles that a filtration system may miss. Ionizing air purifiers, for example, use electric discharges to clump particles together, trapping them in filters or on charged plates. The right combination of air filters and purifiers can remove more than 98% of pollutants from your home’s air.

Feel free to ask our team at Gideon Heating & Air Conditioning any questions about air filters and purifiers to help make your home a healthier space.

Learn more about Air Filtration Systems and Air Purifiers

UV Germicidal Lights

These purification systems focus on organic pollutants like mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and other microbes. Many standard filters and purifiers can’t target these contaminants. UV germicidal lights (or UV air purifiers) use ultraviolet radiation to kill or neutralize harmful organisms.

Though they emit low levels of UV radiation, these lights are completely safe for people and pets—no more harmful than sunlight. They effectively eliminate organic pollutants without leaving any chemical residue. UV air purifiers require little maintenance and provide long-term protection. Our technicians can help determine if UV germicidal lights are right for your home.

Learn more about UV Germicidal Lights

Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers

Let’s address the humidity issues in your home. Whether the air is too humid or too dry, we can install a whole-house system to put the control in your hands.

Whole-house dehumidifiers are installed within your HVAC system to pull moisture from the air. They use refrigerant to cool the air, extract moisture, then reheat it to avoid cooling your home too much. You can control humidity levels with a humidistat, and we recommend setting it around 45% for optimal comfort.

Whole-house humidifiers, on the other hand, add moisture to your air through dampened pads, and you can adjust the levels to prevent over-humidifying. Just remember to schedule regular maintenance to avoid mold growth.

Learn more about Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers

Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilators (HRVs and ERVs)

These devices allow fresh air to enter your home while preventing extreme outdoor temperatures from impacting your HVAC system. HRVs and ERVs use the outgoing indoor air to either heat or cool the incoming outdoor air, reducing the energy your system needs to maintain comfort.

HRVs work well in colder weather, while ERVs help balance humidity levels. Our indoor air quality experts can help you decide which option is best for your home.

Learn more about Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilators

Improve Your Home’s Performance in Wilmington, NC

At Gideon Heating & Air Conditioning, we can make your home more energy-efficient, reducing your living costs, improving the environment, and boosting your air quality.

Here are some of the home performance services we provide:

• Blower Door Testing: We test for leaks in your home by lowering indoor pressure and measuring where air enters. This helps identify areas for improvement.
• Air Sealing: Once we know where the air leaks are, we can seal them to prevent drafts and improve HVAC efficiency.
• Duct Testing: Leaky ducts waste energy and allow contaminants into the air. We’ll assess your ductwork and offer solutions to fix any issues.
• Duct Sealing: Duct tape isn’t enough for leaky ducts. Our professional duct sealing ensures your system is airtight and efficient.

If you’re unsure whether your home needs these services, schedule a consultation with us. We’ll work with you to ensure your home is as energy-efficient as possible.

Protect Your Family With Better Indoor Air Quality

Your family’s health is our priority at Gideon Heating & Air Conditioning. We are dedicated to helping local homeowners in Wilmington, NC live healthier, more comfortable lives. When you’re ready to improve your home’s air quality, we’ll go the extra mile to provide long-lasting solutions that make a real difference.

We’re always available to answer questions, offer advice, and build relationships with our customers. As a full-service HVAC company, we have everything you need to create a healthier, happier home. Contact us today for cleaner air tomorrow!